Tampering of track caused rail mishap: Report

New Delhi, Mar 27 (UNI) The February 26 derailment of Howrah-Amritsar Express between Purani and Nagaina railway stations of Moradabad division of Northern Railway, in which one person was killed, was due to the tampering with tracks, a preliminary inquiry report has said.

Mr Bhupender Singh, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northern Circle, New Delhi, who held a statutory inquiry into the derailment, said ''the accident was caused due to the tampering with the track by unknown persons.''.

One person was killed and two train passengers received minor injuries in the mishap that occurred at 0300 hrs on February 26.

In his report submitted to the Central Government, Mr Singh observed that there had been a number of cases of tampering of the tracks in the past on the Nagina-Purani section, and FIRs in all those cases were lodged.

He said it was imperative for the police to work out such cases without any further delay.

''To keep the level crossing gates closed in the night, correction slips must be issued and should also be approved by Railway headquarters/Railway Board,'' he said in his report.

UNI/SKS VD MSJ RN1640